Barts Health Lupus Unit named Lupus UK Centre of Excellence
This Lupus Awareness Month we are reflecting on our dedicated unit at Mile End Hospital, part of Barts Health NHS Trust, which has been named as a Lupus UK Centre of Excellence.
Lupus UK recognised the dedication and commitment of the lupus team to seeking better treatments whilst also helping people with lupus cope with their illness and live more comfortable lives.
The service was awarded the accolade right before the pandemic started and has adapted to safely care for patients. The team has converted the majority of clinics to telephone to avoid cancelling, educated patients on taking their own blood pressure at home and have sent urine pots in the mail to avoid hospital attendance. As a result, the service is up-to-date in clinics and patient care. Urgent patients are seen in clinics with strict infection control measures in place.
The unit is the seventh in the country to become a Lupus UK Centre of Excellence. The accolade reflects the onsite facilities and services which are deemed to be first-class. Staff working on the unit were also praised for having a strong understanding of lupus and treating each patient with dignity and respect.
The Lupus UK Centres of Excellence award scheme is designed to recognise and reward specialist lupus clinics that offer a high quality of care for people with lupus and to ensure that these standards are maintained.
The unit provides a comprehensive, holistic approach to care, and a multi-disciplinary team (rheumatology, renal, dermatology, immunology, nursing, physiotherapy, psychology, nutrition and research) work together to allow for rapid patient access to a team of onsite specialists.
The Centre is led by Dr Dev Pyne who said: ''I am delighted that Barts Health has been awarded the national accolade of being a Lupus UK Centre of Excellence. This is testament to the hard work and dedication of all members of the multidisciplinary team, who are to be congratulated on this achievement. The award reflects the high quality of care that lupus patients can expect when attending the Barts Health Lupus Unit.''
To learn more about the Barts Health Lupus Unit please visit our rheumatology page.
Or learn about how we are offering safe care throughout the pandemic.